Premature infants may get metabolic boost from mom's breast milk
In a study, researchers compared the breast milk of mothers with babies born prematurely -- between 28 and 37 weeks gestation -- and at term -- after 38 weeks. They examined whether there were differences in the composition of the breast milks' microRNAs, snippets of RNA that affect gene expression and can be passed to the infant. "We found that there are differences in these microRNA profiles, and that the majority of the altered microRNAs influence metabolism ," said Molly Carney, medical student in the Penn State College of Medicine. "If those microRNAs are being transferred to the infant, that could potentially impact how the newborn processes energy and nutrients." The researchers said the results -- recently published in Pediatric Research -- could help better match babies with donated breast milk and give insight into how to develop better infant formula. Babies born prematurely are at risk for a host of problems, including failure to thrive an...